Hi Guys, have been watching your awesome Videos some excellent footage and of course all the great Scenery. I like the idea of transporting the bikes and saving a horrible long journey North, some friends rode from Yorkshire half day, then the N C 500 in 3 days then back to Yorkshire, hard work, with no play time to site see. Love your idea much more leisurely with time to relax. Keep sharing your adventures. Dave from Lancashire.
Thanks very much Dave, we’re glad you enjoyed our Scottish adventures! Yes, we didn’t want to waste valuable time flogging up the motorway - besides, my back wouldn’t take it😂 . We made a conscious decision a long time ago never to rush around and miss opportunities to see the places we visit. Thanks for watching! 😀👍
It does make a lot of sense with a back problem, wise choice. I can't wait to get back out there,I had a hip replacement in February and just need to be stronger. 😊 Think my long dragged out days are behind me too, and the leisure routine is a must, although I have a Goldwing and a 900 tiger GT to play on. The old body is the problem. Ride Safe, keep Sharing thanks Dave. 😊
Great video. You were really lucky with the weather. We’ve done NC500 3 times so far, by Harley bike, trike and by car and only had it dry once. We also stopped at Balmacara hotel. They do a lovely pint of Innis&Gunn IPA
A good idea to transport the bikes up. I live in Dorset and were I to do that journey you'd be looking at 2 stops up and 2 down! Looking forward to the other videos in the series(I've only just come across your channel).
Think the long ride to Scotland is part of the experience and makes it more enjoyable when you get to Scotland as you have done the hard bit. Having the bikes delivered and flying up just doesn't seem right but if you have the cash happy days.
Sadly Richard, my back won’t take those kind of long rides anymore - on the Pan American I was regularly doing 6 hr days non stop but it took its toll on my old body 🙁 rather save myself for the good stuff now! 😀
Thanks Simon! You’ll love it but we hope you have good weather (🤞) and little traffic! The west coast is definitely the highlight - stunning roads and scenery! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Ive looked into the route, and decided to do the anti clockwise route and leave the great views to the end. x fingers for the right time of the year and good weather.
Just watched your first video and glad you're enjoying the scenery and weather. Haven't watched the rest yet but to you and anyone else planning a trip one road to consider and working into your route is the Glenelg/kylerhea route. If heading west towards Kyle of Lochalsh there's a turn off at Glen Shiel by the caravan park/ cafe, chocolate shop. Takes you to Glenelg where you can get the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world over to Skye. The chance to see , eagles, seals, otters, purpoise etc. Plus views are amazing if weathers good. 2 things to consider though. Ferry operates easter to October. And in bad weather doesn't operate. The roads particularly on skye are single track and care is needed. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.
The A82 is a great road to ride....... I rode up from West Oxon on my trusty 1100RT in 2003 with my son on the back - we based ourselves in fort William and spent a week riding the west coast - Applecross et al, and had a great time. We left at 5.30 am on the day we were returning, and the ride back down the A82 was amazing - blue skies, nothing else on the road and all that fabulous scenery - 2 and a half hrs of riding bliss!! We went down the M74, then onto the M6 - my son actually fell asleep on the back of the bike ( GIVI top box with back rest fitted and BMW panniers) so we pulled into the services and I filled him up with a large black coffee and giant mars bar before we set off again, arriving home just before 3pm. Steve
Wow! That’s a hell of a day’s ride! We can’t manage a couple of hours without coffee stops ☕️☕️ 😀! We still think Scotland is one of the best riding countries in the world! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Yep......but it was easy going once we got on the motorway - just a slog all the way down to B'Ham then peel off to Warwick on the M40 then 45 mins across country from there - we did stop twice more at services for short breaks though. The RT's make long haul riding very easy - all that weather protection and the lazy torque of the boxer engine - they just eat up the miles effortlessly as you know with your GS. Steve
I'm leading a trip up there in two weeks time. Not too much motorway from North Wales. I'm coming off the M74 to head across to Ayr for our first night. Then our Route to Inverness follows yours up via Fort William. I first toured Scotland solo in 1978 on a Suzuki GT750. Many great trips since then. Looking forward to watching the rest of your trip.
I was looking forward to seing the tarbet hotel again but you didn't put it on the video but I still like the video I'm going up in June with my biker mates and the wife's 3 bikes 5 days at strathpeffer doing the 500 we booked in 2019 and have been chasing it all 2020 and 2021so let's hope it happens this year keep safe you 2
Thank you for a sunny visit to Scotland. Our 3 visits up there have all been rainrain and rain. I have to admit that the UK countryside in the sunshine is as good as anywhere in the world Scotland the Dales Peak district West country, the Fens even.
Hi guys! I’ve just discovered your channel and working through your videos. I was also fortunate enough to visit the Highlands, I didn’t ride the NC500 but concentrated on the west, including hoping on a ferry to the Isle of Skye! The Eileen Donan castle is amazing, but so is all that part of Scotland. Not everything went according to plan on my trip though which made it an adventure! 🤪👍
Thank you Phil - we appreciate you watching our adventures! You’re absolutely right - the North West of Scotland is stunning 👍 sounds like you had a great adventure too! 👍😀
Great video!..nice choice of music, good narration and tasteful editing of your still photos into the finished product. I was supposed to fly to Glasgow on May 5, pick up a Yamaha TracerGT in Edinburgh and ride the NC500...now postponed until Sept.20
Thanks very much Bob! We appreciate your comments! When you do go we hope the weather’s good ☀️ the roads are fantastic 👍 some of the best riding we’ve ever done - good luck!
Hi, found your channel via you calling by mine. We did Scotland earlier this year, it was great but very wet. Will work my way through your Scotland vids, the quality deserves more subs than you have. All the best Richard H
Banditmanuk Thanks Richard, we really appreciate your feedback! We had some fantastic weather in Scotland and right now we’re in Plymouth waiting to get the ferry to Santander! 👍😀
Thanks very much Michael! We appreciate your comments - someone else said of another video “ lovely music and cracking video!” - I guess music/no music is a personal thing 🤔 but thanks for watching! 😀👍
Graham Murray Thanks very much for your comments and support for our channel, we really appreciate it! We didn’t use an app to plan the route, we looked at a NC 500 route on the map and just worked our way around it booking places to stay en route ahead of time as it gets very busy in peak times and often there is not a lot of choice in accommodation. If you haven’t done it yet Graham we can highly recommend it! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries aw OK yeah that makes sense, thank you I plan on doing it next year, Look forward to seeing more of your videos Thanks again Graham
You guys were so, so lucky with the weather... we went the following week and had to cut our trip short the weather was so bad... I have never ridden for so long in such appalling weather. You can read about our trip here - davezzroute66.wordpress.com/north-coast-500-posts/
Well I have seen a few of these videos and I’m amazed that in places there are some complaints! But I have never heard such a moaning Minnie, if it’s not the coffee not being a “flat white” he moans about the accommodation!!! Get over it mate! And incidentally I think your boxing above your weight the Sue!!!
Hi Guys, have been watching your awesome Videos some excellent footage and of course all the great Scenery.
I like the idea of transporting the bikes and saving a horrible long journey North, some friends rode from Yorkshire half day, then the N C 500 in 3 days then back to Yorkshire, hard work, with no play time to site see. Love your idea much more leisurely with time to relax. Keep sharing your adventures.
Dave from Lancashire.
Thanks very much Dave, we’re glad you enjoyed our Scottish adventures! Yes, we didn’t want to waste valuable time flogging up the motorway - besides, my back wouldn’t take it😂 . We made a conscious decision a long time ago never to rush around and miss opportunities to see the places we visit. Thanks for watching! 😀👍
It does make a lot of sense with a back problem, wise choice. I can't wait to get back out there,I had a hip replacement in February and just need to be stronger. 😊 Think my long dragged out days are behind me too, and the leisure routine is a must, although I have a Goldwing and a 900 tiger GT to play on. The old body is the problem.
Ride Safe, keep Sharing thanks
Dave. 😊
@davidmorris-zz1iu a Goldwing is about as comfortable as you can get! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries It is an awesome machine, and very comfortable, great for the long tours. 👍🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️
Thanks for the Good helpfull videos,
Thanks very much, glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍
Thanks for this. As with many of your other videos, this is so helpful to us as we plan our trip to Scotland, England, and Wales. Thanks again..
Thank you Marco! Glad you found it useful 👍 hope you have a great trip! 👍😀
Great video. You were really lucky with the weather. We’ve done NC500 3 times so far, by Harley bike, trike and by car and only had it dry once. We also stopped at Balmacara hotel. They do a lovely pint of Innis&Gunn IPA
Thank you 🙏 we had some really good weather especially for all the great roads on the West! 😀👍
Brings back memories as you rode much of same route except it rained on us lol 😂 but great roads I did it on my old fjr1300
We were so lucky with our weather 🌞! Scotland is stunning 🤩! 😀👍
Great vid and at least you have shown that it doesn't always rain in Scotland!
Thank you! We had brilliant weather 🌞 although I think we were pretty lucky! 😀👍
Fabulous weather fantastic views what more can I say? Thank you so much for sharing your experiences x
Sue Taylor Thanks once again for your continued support! We were so lucky with that amazing weather!
A good idea to transport the bikes up. I live in Dorset and were I to do that journey you'd be looking at 2 stops up and 2 down! Looking forward to the other videos in the series(I've only just come across your channel).
Thanks very much David - we thought that too, didn’t want to waste time getting up there but rather enjoy all the great riding when we got there! 😀👍
Think the long ride to Scotland is part of the experience and makes it more enjoyable when you get to Scotland as you have done the hard bit. Having the bikes delivered and flying up just doesn't seem right but if you have the cash happy days.
Sadly Richard, my back won’t take those kind of long rides anymore - on the Pan American I was regularly doing 6 hr days non stop but it took its toll on my old body 🙁 rather save myself for the good stuff now! 😀
Thank you. Just found your NC500 videos, my plan is to ride the 500 in 2024 anti clock wise.
Thanks Simon! You’ll love it but we hope you have good weather (🤞) and little traffic! The west coast is definitely the highlight - stunning roads and scenery! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Ive looked into the route, and decided to do the anti clockwise route and leave the great views to the end. x fingers for the right time of the year and good weather.
@@simonwardlesw everyone says anti clockwise is the best option - that way you finish on all the good stuff! 😀👍
Thanks for sharing your adventure, very nice countryside.
Visited there 2 years ago and hope to ride them roads 👍 😃
Thank you! It is a beautiful country - definitely one of our favourite places to ride! Thanks for watching! 😀👍
Just watched your first video and glad you're enjoying the scenery and weather. Haven't watched the rest yet but to you and anyone else planning a trip one road to consider and working into your route is the Glenelg/kylerhea route. If heading west towards Kyle of Lochalsh there's a turn off at Glen Shiel by the caravan park/ cafe, chocolate shop. Takes you to Glenelg where you can get the last manually operated turntable ferry in the world over to Skye. The chance to see , eagles, seals, otters, purpoise etc. Plus views are amazing if weathers good. 2 things to consider though. Ferry operates easter to October. And in bad weather doesn't operate. The roads particularly on skye are single track and care is needed. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.
Thanks very much! Great tip about the road to the ferry 👍 will definitely take that in next time we’re in Scotland - thanks for watching! 😀👍
Great Video thank you for taking the time
Thanks very much Adie! Glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍
The A82 is a great road to ride....... I rode up from West Oxon on my trusty 1100RT in 2003 with my son on the back - we based ourselves in fort William and spent a week riding the west coast - Applecross et al, and had a great time.
We left at 5.30 am on the day we were returning, and the ride back down the A82 was amazing - blue skies, nothing else on the road and all that fabulous scenery - 2 and a half hrs of riding bliss!!
We went down the M74, then onto the M6 - my son actually fell asleep on the back of the bike ( GIVI top box with back rest fitted and BMW panniers) so we pulled into the services and I filled him up with a large black coffee and giant mars bar before we set off again, arriving home just before 3pm.
Steve
Wow! That’s a hell of a day’s ride! We can’t manage a couple of hours without coffee stops ☕️☕️ 😀! We still think Scotland is one of the best riding countries in the world! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries
Yep......but it was easy going once we got on the motorway - just a slog all the way down to B'Ham then peel off to Warwick on the M40 then 45 mins across country from there - we did stop twice more at services for short breaks though.
The RT's make long haul riding very easy - all that weather protection and the lazy torque of the boxer engine - they just eat up the miles effortlessly as you know with your GS.
Steve
@@steve1962 Yes it does! I had a 1200 RT before the GS - got it for two up touring and then Sue decided she wanted her own ride! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Great bikes aren't they .....I called mine The Panzer - that thing could hussle with the best of them!!
👍👍😀😀
was there in 2018 but in a rental car and we based ourselves in Oban; thanks for sharing your adventure :)
Thanks Malcolm! Glad you enjoyed it! 😀👍
Good stuff. Can't wait for the next episode. [thumbsup]
RetroBiker Thanks! Looks like we keep riding the same roads - and had the same great weather!
I'm leading a trip up there in two weeks time. Not too much motorway from North Wales. I'm coming off the M74 to head across to Ayr for our first night. Then our Route to Inverness follows yours up via Fort William. I first toured Scotland solo in 1978 on a Suzuki GT750. Many great trips since then. Looking forward to watching the rest of your trip.
Adrian Nicholson I hope you get as good weather as we did! We had such a great trip. Let us know how you get on! 😀👍
I was looking forward to seing the tarbet hotel again but you didn't put it on the video but I still like the video I'm going up in June with my biker mates and the wife's 3 bikes 5 days at strathpeffer doing the 500 we booked in 2019 and have been chasing it all 2020 and 2021so let's hope it happens this year keep safe you 2
Thanks Jim! No we didn’t stay at the Tarbet! Really hope you have a great time in June abs get good weather! 😀👍☀️
Thank you for a sunny visit to Scotland. Our 3 visits up there have all been rainrain and rain. I have to admit that the UK countryside in the sunshine is as good as anywhere in the world Scotland the Dales Peak district West country, the Fens even.
We were so lucky with the weather- it makes all the difference in the world!
Hi guys! I’ve just discovered your channel and working through your videos. I was also fortunate enough to visit the Highlands, I didn’t ride the NC500 but concentrated on the west, including hoping on a ferry to the Isle of Skye! The Eileen Donan castle is amazing, but so is all that part of Scotland. Not everything went according to plan on my trip though which made it an adventure! 🤪👍
Thank you Phil - we appreciate you watching our adventures! You’re absolutely right - the North West of Scotland is stunning 👍 sounds like you had a great adventure too! 👍😀
Great video!..nice choice of music, good narration and tasteful editing of your still photos into the finished product. I was supposed to fly to Glasgow on May 5, pick up a Yamaha TracerGT in Edinburgh and ride the NC500...now postponed until Sept.20
Thanks very much Bob! We appreciate your comments! When you do go we hope the weather’s good ☀️ the roads are fantastic 👍 some of the best riding we’ve ever done - good luck!
Hi, found your channel via you calling by mine. We did Scotland earlier this year, it was great but very wet. Will work my way through your Scotland vids, the quality deserves more subs than you have. All the best Richard H
Banditmanuk Thanks Richard, we really appreciate your feedback! We had some fantastic weather in Scotland and right now we’re in Plymouth waiting to get the ferry to Santander! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Fabulous, have a great time
What date did you do the trip. Thanks
We did it in May 2019! A great time of year - fewer midges! 😀👍
Hi , what camera kit do you use?
Hi Nick,
We use 3 Go Pro Hero black 6 on the bikes and our i phones off the bike! 😀👍
Very beautiful guys.
When were u there?
Thank you 🙏 we went to Scotland in May of 2019! 😀🍻
What video editing software did you use, if you dont mind me asking?
Hi Bob, We use Final Cut Pro! 👍😀
Can I please ask which company you used to transport your bikes??
Hi David, we used Flag Transport run by Martin Haines. He transports vehicles all over Europe! 😀👍
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries Can you kindly provide a link please? as I can't find anything on good 'ol Google
@@davidreed6817 it’s flagdeliveries.com the website features cars mostly but he does do bikes! His name is Martin Haines 👍😀
I must be a rarity amongst bikers, I love riding on motorways.
We don’t mind a bit of Motorways but not hours 🙁! Something with bends is always good 😀👍
Is there any way that we might hear more of the bike engines and less of the music ?
Thanks for sharing your adventures
Thanks very much Michael! We appreciate your comments - someone else said of another video “ lovely music and cracking video!” - I guess music/no music is a personal thing 🤔 but thanks for watching! 😀👍
What app did you use to plan your route ect.. Your videos are great, please keep them up 👌
Graham
Graham Murray Thanks very much for your comments and support for our channel, we really appreciate it! We didn’t use an app to plan the route, we looked at a NC 500 route on the map and just worked our way around it booking places to stay en route ahead of time as it gets very busy in peak times and often there is not a lot of choice in accommodation. If you haven’t done it yet Graham we can highly recommend it! 👍😀
@@midlifemotorcyclediaries aw OK yeah that makes sense, thank you I plan on doing it next year,
Look forward to seeing more of your videos
Thanks again
Graham
Are you going to be doing a trip around Ireland anytime?
It’s definitely on the list but not sure when we’ll get to do it ! 👍😀
Song name?
flamemapping Which one are you referring to? Let me know and I’ll find out! 👍😀
You guys were so, so lucky with the weather... we went the following week and had to cut our trip short the weather was so bad... I have never ridden for so long in such appalling weather. You can read about our trip here - davezzroute66.wordpress.com/north-coast-500-posts/
Well I have seen a few of these videos and I’m amazed that in places there are some complaints! But I have never heard such a moaning Minnie, if it’s not the coffee not being a “flat white” he moans about the accommodation!!! Get over it mate! And incidentally I think your boxing above your weight the Sue!!!
Moan,moan, moan! 😂😂😂
Entertaining though! Good cinematography and thanks for taking the joke, but I still maintain what I said about Sue! All the best and stay safe.
@@philmcc8106 Always like to punch above my weight!